SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (Interstat) — The Atlantic 10’s dominant force meets a resilient home squad seeking a season-defining upset when the Saint Louis Billikens visit the Rhode Island Rams on Tuesday afternoon at the Ryan Center. Saint Louis (24-1, 14-0 A-10) carries a 17-game winning streak into the contest, having steamrolled through conference play. Their latest victory was an 86-59 rout at Loyola Chicago on Friday, a typical display of their overwhelming efficiency. The Billikens lead the nation in scoring margin, winning by an average of 24.8 points. A key catalyst is guard Ishan Sharma, who is coming off a 14-point, five-assist performance against Loyola. Sharma has provided explosive scoring bursts, including a 29-point outing at Saint Bonaventure on Jan. 23, giving the balanced Billikens a dynamic offensive weapon. Rhode Island (14-11, 8-6) presents a formidable challenge, especially on its home court where it is 10-3 this season. The Rams are led by the conference’s leading scorer, Tyler Cochran, who is averaging 22.4 points per game. The senior guard is playing at an elite level, coming off a 43-minute, 25-point, nine-rebound effort in a tough overtime loss to Fordham on Saturday. In his last five games, Cochran is averaging 24.4 points. The Rams have shown they can compete with the league’s best, evidenced by an overtime win at Dayton on Jan. 27. Containing Cochran will be the primary defensive focus for a Saint Louis team that ranks first in the A-10 in scoring defense. For Rhode Island, the task is monumental. They must navigate Saint Louis’s relentless pressure and depth while finding consistent secondary scoring behind Cochran to support his heavy workload. A victory would be a monumental boost to their postseason aspirations. For Saint Louis, the mission is to maintain its historic pace and avoid a letdown in a hostile road environment as it continues its march toward a top seed in the NCAA tournament. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.